Of course, what we learn is that Sydney had killed John's father in Atlantic City. He ended up leaving that in his past and until he ran into John outside the diner... the issue never came back into his life.

The blood on his sleeve, of course, was there because he killed the man in the hotel room that owed Clementine money. By looking down on it, he realized what a terrible thing he had done... but just like John's father... he covered it up, and moved on.

I think it was a nice twist to the end of the film. The entire point of the movie, was MOVING ON. A more dubbed-down idea imposed in "Magnolia".

Don't get me wrong... this movie is no Boogie Nights, no Magnolia... and no Punch Drunk Love. It was a good independent film... and most noteably, a great story backed up by a pretty darn good cast for a low-budget film.

I wouldn't brush it off that easily. This movie has several factors that make it so realistic and mind-blowing...so subtley that we may not notice it at first.

Logged

"As a matter of fact I only work with the feeling of something magical, something seemingly significant. And to keep it magical I don't want to know the story involved, I just want the hypnotic effect of it somehow seeming significant without knowing why." - Len Lye

wow - you guys are really beating the shit out of poor SYDNEY. perhaps he deserves it? i don't think so - this film holds a pretty special place in my heart; it's one the best christmas movies i've ever seen.- the commentary track with PBH is over the top. i love to listen to that while i make eggs.--> ccb

no worries // i'm half-joking here. i admit that the first time i saw SYDNEY i didn't really 'get it', but it has easily become one of my favourite films over the years and i actually watch it more often than MAGNOLIA and BOOGIE NIGHTS combined (that says more about it's length though)..sydney was a badasssssss back in the day; he can take the abuse ;)..-ccb

"Due to the way he claims his very promising first picture, Sydney (retitled Hard Eight for release, in 1996), was butchered by its producers (a DVD of his original cut is available for comparison), Anderson has become exceptionally sensitive about maintaining control over his work."

is the DVD a director's cut? i've been thinking about getting the DVD for Hard Eight lately.unfortunately it's very hard to find in stores.